On Dec. 11, 2001, Ward’s Auto World named Ford’s redesigned 5.4-liter TritonTM V-8 to its “Ten Best” engine list for the sixth straight year. Built at Ford’s Windsor (Ontario) Engine Plant, the 2002 TritonTM was reengineered from the block up for refined noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) performance.

In Ward’s annual “Ten Best” list the automotive monthly included both the conventional 260 hp single overhead cam (SOHC) workhorse found in the Ford F-150, Expedition, Econoline, Excursion and Super Duty F-Series, and the 380 hp supercharged version in Ford’s SVT Lightning, the world’s fastest factory-built pickup.

With NVH increasingly important for customer satisfaction, Ford powertrain engineers updated the 5.4-liter Triton block with numerous improvements, including a more robust ribbing pattern and thicker side-skirt walls. Other updates include redesigns of the air intake resonator and the engine cover, plus quieter new materials for the cover and the oil pan.

The Windsor plant is already producing the newest version of the 5.4-liter TritonTM, a three-valve version scheduled for its North American debut next year in the 2004 Ford F-Series. The 3-valve Triton is already a hit in Australia and a big factor in the raves and Car of the Year honors that have met Ford of Australia’s new Falcon BA lineup of sedans and utes.

With two intake and one exhaust valve, plus variable cam timing and other refinements, the new-generation Triton delivers more than 300 horsepower and class-leading torque across the entire rev range for improved performance, efficiency, emissions and quiet, smooth operation.

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